‘ Brilliant'

‘ If the rest of the programme is half as good, this is the place to be.'

The Glasgow Festival of Songwriting opening night - The Woody Guthrie Show - was undoubtedly a fantastic success. Sold out in advance, the place was packed and the enthusiastic audience roared for more and more from an ‘in form' Cahoots . The accompanying slide show depicting the Dust Bowl, presented by press-ganged cinematographer Susan McNally, was stark but brilliant. Great renditions of Pretty Boy Floyd and Deportees from Rab McClelland, Vigilante Man and Hard Times from John McMeekin with superb accompaniment from Harvey on steel guitar and Matt on the fiddle. Big Jim McKenna, our festival director, joined them on stage and his talking blues almost lifted the roof. The appreciative crowd demanded three encores and loved every minute of it.

Tickets were at a premium for this show with many unable to get in, to avoid disappointment for any for the other great shows coming up get onto Jim and order your tickets now!

Thursday 18 January

The first heat of the festival's songwriting competition took place, judged by the incomparable Ian Davison. Nine acts performed three songs each and the variety was outstanding. We had humorous items from John Young and Gordon Neil delivered some really unusual and hilarious songs which brought us to tears of laughter and evoked from the judge ‘a set he would always remember.

The two entries chosen to go through to final came from Dave Gibb and Tom Clelland. Dave`s rendition of his brilliant historical ballad James of the Glen and Tom Clelland`s I think he liked the ladies brought the roof down.
We are looking forward to the Edinburgh heat on Tuesday 23rd .

Due to the numbers applying for open night entries we have added two further heats; Sunday 21st and Sunday the 28th, 12noon to 1.30pm .

Friday 19 January

Setting the tone, local musician Martin Coffield opened and gave a fine performance with a set of his own finely crafted songs and he rightly received a great reception.

The double bill had the incomparable Attilla the Stockbroker teamed with the fantastic Dave Rovics and they had the audience completely riveted with intelligent political, humorous and protest songs and poems, brilliantly presented in any form - including Rap & Punk. Great stuff, thoroughly enjoyed by all!

Saturday 20 January

The mid-day songwriting Masterclass with Dave Rovics, Attila the Stockbroker and Alistair Hulett was superb, with so many probing, intelligent questions it developed into a very interesting discussion on the skills and craft utilized by these professionals. This was followed by the first of our OPEN STAGE opportunities from 2 pm and we enjoyed a very good session until after 4o`clock.

This festival of songwriting coincides with the 30th anniversary of the loss of one of Glasgow's greatest - Matt McGinn. Last night we had the first of our tributes and a full house was treated to a phenomenal set from the Auld-Hoose Ceilidh Band. To say they received a tremendous reception would be an understatement.

Sunday 21 January

Song writing Competition
Due to the large number of folk wishing to put a song in the competition we added two more slots that were quickly filled, leaving us no alternative but to disappoint some. The first of these was held on Sunday at 12 noon. The five contestants gave judge Ian Davison a major challenge they were so good. On summing up he thanked the final contestant and winner a young man called Matt Johnston whose entry will take some beating in the final.

We carried on with our second session and a healthy turnout included contestants from Germany, America and New Zealand. From nearer home, Fife and Ayrshire were also represented and all provided an excellent afternoon entertainment.

Which Side Are You On?
The evening featured Alistair Hulett and Jimmy Ross with Which Side Are You On, a brilliant show about the life, politics and music of Pete Seeger. Despite our first gremlin - a fault with the sound equipment - the boys did their show acoustically. The crowd seemed to appreciate the difference and there were several comments about the warmth of the performances. The back projections were magnificent and the story very revealing. This show will draw crowds wherever the boys decide to stage it.

Glasgow song bird Susan McLure started the evening, gloriously interpreting some of her favourite traditional songs.

Monday 22 January

To start the evening off, we were treated to a set from Vinnie James. Currently staying in Glasgow, this astonishing songwriter from New Jersey, showed us why there's so much 'chatter' about him recently. Definitely one to look out for. (More about Vinnie)

I just don't have sufficient superlatives to apply to last night's show. The premiered LINEAGE 'docu-ballad' (yes I made that up) recounting the adventurous, sometimes glorious and heroic history of the Livingstone family through 300 years, simply kept the audience riveted.

Tuesday 23 January

Tuesday was the turn of the Edinburgh songwriters to give us their contributions to the songwriting competition and we were treated to another fantastic evening of song. The two winners were Rachel, who's originally from New Zealand, and the head honcho from the foakies songwriting Tom Fairnie. Both will appear at the final on Tuesday 1st February.

The quality of the songs being entered in the competition is outstanding, I don't envy the judges' task in the final...

An added highlight was a second visit from Vinnie James who opened for us on Monday. He's enjoying the Festival so much he couldn't keep away. He consented to doing a spot and he wowed the audience with his impecable performance.

Thurdsay 25 January

What a night! Glasgow Songwriters Group took the stage last night and wowed a near capacity audience with their offerings. Jim King one of Glasgow's finest songsmiths was lavish in his praise. His verdict for the two songs put through to the final was - Alexander Murray with a song called 'Less Ordinary' and Paul Alger with 'Across The Park'.

Jim gave very constructive remarks on each song entered which all the contestants found helpful. There were ten acts (two duos) and a young woman (Vivien Scotson) came in for particular praise for her tremendous vocal performance.

As this festival is a new venture, we have been asking people as they leave, how they have enjoyed the show. Last night, all the people we approached were more than pleased with what they had seen. However one man in particular, a visitor to Glasgow whose wife is in the Western Infirmary having a kidney transplant, thanked us for giving his spirit a lift.

That kind of feedback makes running this festival even more worthwhile.

Friday 26 January

Tom Clelland opened the show in impeccable form - relaxed, confident and engaging in his delivery of some of his finest songs.

Last night (friday) was quite definitely the highlight of the festival so far for me. (says Jim King)

The evening was rounded off with an extended set from Allan Taylor. Hard to think of a songwriting festival without Allan taking part.

His usual warmth, charm and good humour was equally matched by the wonderfully evocative range of his music.

The audience was treated to some of his best known and much demanded songs - Roll On The Day for example - and he let us hear a couple of new pieces, as yet unrecorded and, I believe in one case, not previously publicly performed (see that? Alliteration, a songwriting skill).

Then Tam White, Godfather of Scottish Blues, took the stage and the audience by (almost) complete surprise. He gave us a brilliant, memorable set, but included only a handful of blues numbers. Mostly performing his own compositions, he added in a number by Jim Croce and then took a Burns song he'd learnt from his Granny and showed us what it would have sounded like if Muddy Waters or Broonzy had written it.

I know that just saying that will offend some but I care not, it was magnificent. This masterful performer had the whole audience singing along to a tongue-in-cheek gospel song, and couldn't keep them from joining in with his 'acoustic funk' homage to Little Feat.

Saturday 27 January

On Saturday afternoon, we presented a Masterclass in songwriting. It was the second of three such events during the festival. Hosted by Allan Taylor and Jim King, it was destined to be a constructive and informative session. However, I doubt that anyone expected that it would provide lessons in how to communicate raw emotion in a song.

Allan sang and talked about 'Almost Man'. A powerful and very personal piece he composed following the death of his father. Jim contributed with discussion and a performance of 'Blood Red Roses' - a song that reflects on the difficult and sensitive issue of domestic violence.

For a while, the room almost steamed up as those present connected, in their own way, with the feelings prodded by hearing the songs and the background to them. Both writers gave practical and productive responses to the questions posed by the audience, and many went away with some new ideas about how to craft their own songwriting.

Although both writers have previously conducted writing workshops, neither had done so in this particular format. Apart from the obvious synergy that Allan and Jim created, the relaxed and informal way we set up the Masterclass created something closer to an informal chat between friends.

Another Festival success. Look out for the next one with Ben Sands, Christine Kydd and Peter Nardini.

Saturday night brought the second of our Matt McGinn tribute nights and again it sold out with even the bar staff trying to swap shifts to be there. The room's capacity was pushed to its limit, the genius of McGinn having brought them out again, and we were greatly honoured to have Janette McGinn join us for this special night. The band was terrific, the audience was right up for it and the laughter and singing had the place jumpin.' Next Saturday (3rd Feb) we have Stramash present their McGinn of the Calton show which is sure to be a great night with another packed house.

Sunday 28 January

Sunday night's Ewan MacColl Song Book show was presented by three of our finest young Scottish talents, slightly encumbered by a couple of auld yins. The audience was treated to magnificent 30 songs from the 300 or more that
MacColl penned. Eilidh Grant's rendition of 'The First Time' was superb, with Jim King's gentle guitar playing softly supporting her it was a stunning start to the second half of the show. Her scrumptious voice also handled songs that in early rehearsals she apparently never thought she would sing. It's clear that she is developing her amazing talent and will be more than able to apply it to any genre.

Brother and sister, Sean and Roybn Grey (both still in their teens) treated the crowd to some devastating arrangements. Sean's unique voice, together with his fine guitar style wowed the watchers with his interpretation of 'My Old Man' while Robyn's take on 'Come Me Little Son' was exquisite. Jim King took the narration and turned it into a real story. He also sang a few of the songs in his own excellent style. As the Musical Director of the festival it was my pleasure and privilege to cast this show.

Today I'm sitting with a contented (perhaps even smug) smile on my face knowing I have not only encouraged the youngsters to look at MacColl's work but I've even got Jim King thinking enthusiastically about developing something more from the idea. Watch this space?
(Jim McKenna)

Tuesday 30 January

Tuesday saw our final heat of the Songwriting Competition. We had seven contenders and we were not disappointed as the standard was again superb. Ian Davison, the judge, gave the writers lavish praise for their efforts and made constructive comments. A grand night's entertainment.

Thursday 1 February

The Songwriting Competition Final. Nine writers contested the final and we had a variety of performances that kept the audience on the edges of their seats. After hearing all the finalists, and taking a few minutes deliberation Jim King (one of the judges) took some moments before announcing the winner to comment on all the songs. It was obvious this was
greatly appreciated by all contestants.

The winner, apparently by an unanimous decision, was Tom Clelland with "They Say He Liked The Ladies", a beautifully crafted song about a dear departed friend who had led a colourful life.

Saturday 3 February (Lunch Time)

Saturday lunch time's masterclass was another classic with Ben Sands offering a composition he had been coerced into writing by his wife's demand for a song just for her. After a little fruitful discussion, Peter Nardini performed his equivalent, a song he had also written for his wife. The parallels were there to be seen. Two tremendous songs showing both the gentle Irish approach with the unexpected, humorous, final line that lifted the song to greatness, while Peter's song "Ah Think You're Great" had the same sentiments but showed a grittier, West of Scotland approach to the subject. Two of the finest songs heard over the festival.

Saturday 3 February (Afternoon)

On Saturday afternoon we presented the Scottish Wars of Independence, a musical story performed by Auchenraith Primary School. Twenty three children taking in turn a part of the story with a video re-enactment of two battles, Stirling Bridge and Banockburn; the show culminating with the execution of William Wallace. The children were wonderful and they finished up by singing "Flower Of Scotland" and "500 Miles" to the cheers of the audience.

Sunday 3 February (Evening)

McGinn Of The Calton, the legendary story of Matt's work made and televised twenty years ago, was revived and although one man short (John Eaglesham) due to ill health, Stramash carried it off with gusto. The audience response to the first song set the tone for the evening and by the end the entire room was singing as enthusiastically as Stramash. We left the building elated after John Eaglesham, who was, in fact, in the audience, joined them for the final encore.

Sunday 4 February

Our final night - a tribute to Iain MacKintosh and what a show. His family thoughts - "Iain would have loved it." The first set of performances gave us songs and stories from performers and writers from whom Iain had picked up or given songs. Iain was a master song-smith, recognizing great songs and how get the best from them with his unique delivery setting the tone and brilliantly getting the message across. Many recognized this was one of his greatest attributes along with the great encouragement he gave to all.

We were then treated to sets from Gaberlunzie, Arthur Johnston, Alistair McDonald, Adam McNaughton and, finally, Ben Sands. To say they all excelled themselves would be an understatement. Only those who were present can appreciate the depth of feeling these great artists had for Iain. They joked and told tales from the early days and Ian Davison's remark "I knew Iain for forty six years and I never heard him say a bad word about anybody" just about summed up the man that many of us knew.

The evening was a fundraiser; over five hundred pounds was raised towards research into Parkinson's disease, a condition that affected Iain in the latter part of his life.